K IT C H E N
FO OT FAU LTS
THE KITCHEN IS THE
FLAT COURT SURFACE
EITHER TEAM CAN
CALL A FOOT FAULT
LINE CALLS VS. FOOT FAULTS
In the USAPA rule book, when there are no referees or line judges present,
each player makes his or her own line calls. This has led some people to believe
that only you are allowed to make a call on anything on your side of the court.
However, a foot fault is not a line call, and it falls under a separate category.
Therefore, kitchen foot faults are open so that either team can make the call. And,
if we’re honest, the opponent may have a better view of whether or not I committed
a foot fault because I’m concentrating on the ball.
BE A GOOD SPORT
Even though the opponent can call
the foot fault, we have to remember
that pickleball is a sport of integrity
and good sportsmanship. We want
to focus on playing the game and
improving everyone’s level of play
and not just calling foot faults in order
to win. If there is a disagreement, be
polite. Don’t get into a big argument.
Just agree to replay the point. You can
either call a foot fault as it happens, or
let the point finish and then call it. Also,
be sensitive to throwing off someone’s
game play by continuously calling foot
faults. The purpose for calling foot
faults in recreational play is to improve
the game for everyone.
BE A GOOD SPORT
& HAVE INTEGRITY
HELP EACH OTHER
IMPROVE
HELP EACH OTHER ON
THE COURT
How does calling foot faults help
improve your game? Well, when we
call each other’s foot faults, we learn
better body position and muscle
memory. We learn how far forward
we can go on the court and where
to place our feet. Then, when it really
counts, as in a tournament or league
play, we are already practiced and
prepared to not commit foot faults.
Also, if you need help, ask somebody
who is waiting to play to be a kitchen
judge. If we help each other in
practice, then we all help elevate the
sport itself. •
Rusty Howes is the Executive Producer
and creator of Pickleball Channel. Rusty
worked for the likes of Warner Bros
and Disney before creating Pickleball
Channel to develop and provide
fantast